U.S. patent number 7,237,544 [Application Number 10/753,215] was granted by the patent office on 2007-07-03 for pneumatic paintball gun and components.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Smart Parts, Inc.. Invention is credited to Danial S. Jones.
United States Patent |
7,237,544 |
Jones |
July 3, 2007 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Pneumatic paintball gun and components
Abstract
An electro-pneumatic paintball gun preferably comprises a bolt
assembly and a firing valve assembly that can be readily removed
from the paintball gun. A bolt assembly preferably comprises a bolt
sleeve. The bolt assembly is preferably removed by turning the bolt
sleeve a predetermined rotational distance and then retracting the
bolt assembly from a rearward opening in the paintball gun. The
firing assembly preferably comprises a pneumatic piston rod and
cylinder and a firing valve. A firing mass is preferably arranged
on a rearward end of the piston rod. The forward end of the piston
rod preferably engages the firing valve. The firing mass can
include a groove for receiving a bolt linkage from the bolt
assembly.
Inventors: |
Jones; Danial S. (Ligonier,
PA) |
Assignee: |
Smart Parts, Inc. (Latrobe,
PA)
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Family
ID: |
34679313 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/753,215 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2003 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20050133014 A1 |
Jun 23, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
124/73 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B
11/57 (20130101); F41B 11/71 (20130101); F41B
11/723 (20130101); F41B 11/722 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F41B
11/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;124/71-77 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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94026535 |
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Feb 1993 |
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EP |
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2146416 |
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Apr 1985 |
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GB |
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2313655 |
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Dec 1997 |
|
GB |
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WO 97/26498 |
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Jun 1997 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
Matrix-Main Body Assembly & Parts Listing at
http://www.directpaintball.com/pics/diablomatrix/matrixparts.gif. 3
pages. cited by other .
Techno Paintball- information reviews articles forum auction and
chat at http://www.technopaintball.com/matrixreview.htm 2 pages.
cited by other .
Bob Long, "Bob Long Intimidator 2002 Dragon Ripper," Aug. 2002, 28
pages. cited by other.
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Primary Examiner: Chambers; Troy
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Marger Johnson & McCollom,
P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A pneumatic paintball gun, comprising: a body comprising a
rearward end; an opening arranged in the rearward end of the body;
a bolt assembly chamber accessible through the opening in the
rearward end of the body; a separate chamber arranged adjacent the
bolt assembly chamber; a pneumatic piston rod arranged in the
separate chamber; a bolt assembly arranged in the bolt assembly
chamber, said bolt assembly comprising a bolt and an internal bolt
linkage that selectively connects with the pneumatic piston rod; a
bolt removal sleeve comprising a receptacle that surrounds a
rearward end of the bolt, wherein said bolt removal sleeve
selectively engages the bolt linkage to disengage the bolt linkage
from communication with the pneumatic piston rod for removal of the
bolt assembly from the paintball gun; and wherein the bolt removal
sleeve further comprises a channel that permits forward and
rearward movement of the bolt linkage within the channel
independent of the bolt removal sleeve when operating the paintball
gun.
2. A paintball gun according to claim 1, wherein the bolt removal
sleeve rotates about a center axis of the bolt and selectively
engages and disengages the bolt linkage through said rotation about
the bolt axis.
3. A paintball gun according to claim 1, wherein the bolt removal
sleeve further comprises guide channels arranged along an external
surface of the bolt removal sleeve, wherein the body further
comprises guide pins arranged on the internal surface of the bolt
assembly chamber, and wherein the guide channels mate with the
guide pins to ensure proper alignment of the bolt sleeve during
insertion and removal and rotational movement of the bolt removal
sleeve with respect to the paintball gun body.
4. A pneumatic paintball gun comprising: a body comprising a bolt
assembly chamber and a firing assembly chamber accessible through
one or more openings in a rearward end of the body; a firing
assembly comprising a pneumatic piston rod arranged in the firing
assembly chamber, said firing assembly further comprising a
pneumatic cylinder for controlling movement of the pneumatic piston
rod; a firing mass arranged on a rearward end of the pneumatic
piston rod; a pneumatic piston arranged on a separate portion of
the pneumatic piston rod from the firing mass; and a bolt assembly
arranged in the bolt assembly chamber, said bolt assembly
comprising a linkage that selectively physically engages the firing
mass at the rearward end of the pneumatic piston rod.
5. A paintball gun according to claim 4, further comprising a
groove in the firing mass arranged on the rearward end of the
pneumatic piston, wherein the bolt linkage is selectively arranged
within the groove.
6. A paintball gun according to claim 4, further comprising a
firing valve having a valve actuator mating within a receptacle
formed in a forward end of the pneumatic piston rod.
7. A paintball gun according to claim 4, further comprising a
solenoid valve that controls operation of the pneumatic piston.
8. A pneumatic paintball gun, comprising: a body comprising a
rearward end having an opening; a bolt assembly chamber accessible
through the opening in the rearward end of the body; a separate
chamber formed in the body adjacent to the bolt assembly chamber; a
pneumatic piston rod arranged in the separate chamber; a bolt
assembly arranged in the bolt assembly chamber, said bolt assembly
comprising a bolt linkage configured to communicate with the
pneumatic piston rod; and a bolt removal sleeve removal coupled to
the body within the opening in the rearward end of the body, said
bolt removal sleeve configured to selectively disengage the bolt
linkage from communication with the pneumatic piston rod; and
wherein the bolt removal sleeve further comprises a channel that
permits uninterrupted forward and rearward movement of the bolt
linkage within the channel when the bolt assembly is arranged in an
operating position within the paintball gun.
9. A paintball gun according to claim 8, wherein the bolt removal
sleeve further comprises an actuator to permit finger-gripping by a
user of the paintball gun.
10. A paintball gun according to claim 8, wherein the bolt removal
sleeve further comprises a locking system that retains the bolt and
bolt linkage in communication with the bolt removal sleeve when
removed from the paintball guns but which disengages from the bolt
and bolt linkage to permit forward and rearward movement of the
bolt and bolt linkage with respect to the bolt removal sleeve when
arranged in the paintball gun.
11. A paintball gun according to claim 8, further comprising a
groove arranged in the pneumatic piston to receive the bolt
linkage, wherein rotational movement of the bolt removal sleeve
selectively disengages the bolt linkage by causing the bolt linkage
to swing out of a groove.
12. A paintball gun according to claim 11, wherein the bolt removal
sleeve further comprises a catch groove that selectively engages
the bolt linkage when the bolt removal sleeve is rotated from a
first position to a second position to enable removal of the bolt
assembly from the paintball gun.
13. A paintball gun according to claim 8, wherein the bolt removal
sleeve further comprises a guide channel arranged on the external
surface of the bolt removal sleeve that mates with a guide pin in
the gun body to guide insertion and removal of the bolt removal
sleeve with respect to the paintball gun body.
14. A pneumatic paintball gun, comprising: a body comprising a bolt
assembly chamber and a firing assembly chamber; a pneumatic piston
rod arranged in the firing assembly chamber, said pneumatic piston
rod comprising forward end and a rearward end; a firing mass
arranged on a the rearward end of a the pneumatic piston rod; a
pneumatic piston arranged on a separate portion of the pneumatic
piston rod than the firing mass; and a bolt assembly arranged in
the bolt assembly chamber, said bolt assembly comprising a bolt
linkage coupled to the firing mass at the rearward end of the
pneumatic piston rod for movement therewith.
15. A paintball gun according to claim 14, further comprising a
firing valve having a valve actuator, wherein the valve actuator
mates with a forward end of the pneumatic piston rod.
16. A paintball gun according to claim 15, wherein the piston rod
comprises a receptacle, wherein the valve actuator comprises a pin,
and wherein the receptacle of the piston rod receives the valve
actuator pin.
17. A paintball gun according to claim 16, wherein the piston rod
comprises a vent configured to vent compressed gas from the piston
rod receptacle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application relates generally to paintball guns (or
"markers"). The inventive principles disclosed in this application
primarily relate to electro-pneumatic paintball guns and components
for electro-pneumatic paintball guns, including, among other
things, bolt and firing assemblies.
It is common for pneumatic paintball guns, including
electro-pneumatic paintball guns, to use firing assemblies and bolt
assemblies. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,711 (incorporated
herein by reference) the firing assembly includes a firing valve
actuated by a separate pneumatic ram assembly, and a bolt coupled
to the pneumatic ram assembly through an externally-protruding
removable bolt pin. To remove the bolt for maintenance or cleaning,
the bolt pin is removed from the gun and the bolt is then allowed
to slide out. This bolt pin is a separate part that must be kept
track of during cleaning and maintenance.
To avoid loss of the bolt pin, some paintball gun manufacturers
have provided bolt pins that do not completely separate from the
bolt. These bolt pins typically release from the pneumatic ram
assembly by an upward movement of the bolt pin, and can then be
slid out of the paintball gun along with the bolt via a channel
formed in the paintball gun body. These solutions still maintain an
externally protruding bolt pin. Another approach has been to
provide a hinged breech block. In this design, the bolt is arranged
in the breech block with an integral, internal bolt pin. When a
breech pin is retracted, the breech block is permitted to swing
open by rotating about its hinge axis, releasing the bolt pin from
the pneumatic ram assembly via this swinging movement. While this
approach provides a completely internal bolt assembly, it suffers
because the breech block may become loose over time and may fail to
align itself properly or have a sloppy feel during play. Dirt and
other debris can also enter into the breech through gaps between
the breech block and the gun body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one embodiment, a bolt assembly for a pneumatic
paintball gun that incorporates principles of the present invention
preferably comprises a bolt, a bolt linkage attached to the bolt,
and a bolt removal assembly. The bolt linkage (or pin) preferably
remains entirely inside the gun housing during operation of the
gun. The bolt removal assembly preferably includes a bolt removal
sleeve and an actuator (such as a handle or knob). Using the bolt
removal assembly, the bolt assembly can preferably be removed as a
single unit from the rear of the gun housing for maintenance and
cleaning of the gun and its components. The actuator is preferably
used to rotate the bolt sleeve and bolt for removal from the gun. A
back plate is also preferably included to conceal the internal
components of the marker and to prevent sand or other debris from
entering the paintball gun through the back of the marker.
A method for removing a bolt assembly from a paintball gun is also
preferably provided. Specifically, a rearward end of the bolt
assembly is preferably rotated about a center axis of the bolt to
disengage a bolt linkage from a pneumatic actuator. The bolt
assembly is then preferably withdrawn from the marker through a
rearward opening in the gun housing.
A pneumatic firing assembly, according to other principles of this
invention, can also easily be installed or removed from a paintball
gun. The pneumatic firing assembly preferably comprises a piston
rod, a firing valve having a stem (or valve pin) positioned on or
within an end of the piston rod, a piston chamber, and a firing
mass positioned on an opposite end of the piston rod. The firing
mass is preferably weighted to provide sufficient mass to activate
the firing valve. A groove is preferably arranged in the firing
mass for engaging a bolt linkage.
An electro-pneumatic paintball gun can be configured to utilize the
above-described bolt assembly and pneumatic firing assembly. The
paintball gun preferably includes a housing with a firing assembly
chamber that receives the firing assembly and a bolt assembly
chamber that receives the bolt assembly. A firing mass of the
firing assembly is preferably arranged on a pneumatic piston. The
firing mass preferably has a receiving groove for engaging a bolt
linkage. A groove is preferably arranged in the housing between the
firing assembly chamber and the bolt assembly to permit the bolt
linkage to travel forwards and backwards with the pneumatic piston
and firing mass. The electro-pneumatic paintball gun also
preferably includes an opening in the rear of the housing that
enables the firing assembly and bolt assembly to be readily removed
from the paintball gun. A removable back plate can be provided to
conceal the rear opening and prevent dirt or debris from entering
the opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become more readily apparent from the
following detailed description of various preferred embodiments,
proceeding with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an electro-pneumatic paintball
gun according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2A is a vertically cross-sectioned perspective view
illustrating one embodiment of the electro-pneumatic paintball gun
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 2B is a vertically cross-sectioned side elevation view of an
alternative embodiment of the electro-pneumatic paintball gun of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a paintball gun bolt assembly
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a bolt sleeve of the bolt assembly
of FIG. 3A; and
FIG. 4 is a vertically cross-sectioned perspective view of the
firing assembly of the electro-pneumatic paintball gun of FIG.
2B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Various aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now
be described in greater detail with reference to the accompany
drawings. Beginning with FIG. 1, an electro-pneumatic paintball gun
20 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a
body 22. The gun 20 is preferably configured to receive pressurized
gas from a pressurized gas source (such as a compressed gas tank)
through a pressure regulator 28. As can be seen from FIG. 1, other
than the trigger 23, there are no external moving parts in this
embodiment of the invention. In addition, with the exception of the
barrel 24 and feed tube 26, there are no open areas of the body 22
exposed to contamination and damage from dirt or other debris. In
particular, a back plate 340 (see FIG. 2A) is preferably provided
to removably cover a rearward opening in the paintball gun 20.
FIG. 2A is a vertically cross-sectioned perspective view of a first
embodiment of the electro-pneumatic paintball gun 20 of FIG. 1,
showing the internal gun components. Referring to FIG. 2A, the
internal components of the electro-pneumatic paintball gun 20 of
FIG. 1 preferably include a bolt assembly 300 disposed within an
upper, bolt assembly chamber 30 and a firing assembly 400 disposed
within a lower, firing assembly chamber 40.
The bolt assembly 300 preferably includes a bolt 310, a bolt
linkage (or pin) 312, and a bolt removal sleeve 320. The bolt
linkage 312 is preferably attached to a rearward portion of the
bolt 310. When arranged in the gun body, the bolt linkage 312
preferably extends downward through a housing channel 32 arranged
between the bolt assembly chamber 30 and the firing assembly
chamber 40 to communicate with a firing mass 430 of the firing
assembly 400. In this embodiment, for example, the bolt linkage 312
is received into a groove 432 of the firing mass 430.
The firing assembly 400 preferably includes a pneumatic cylinder
410 that houses a pneumatic piston 422 arranged on a piston rod
420. The firing mass 430 is preferably arranged on a rearward end
of the piston rod 420. The firing mass 430 can be threaded onto the
piston rod 420, formed integrally with the piston rod 420, or
attached the piston rod 420 in any other method desirable. The
firing mass 430 preferably includes a groove 432 configured to
receive an end of the bolt linkage 312 from the bolt assembly 300.
In this embodiment, a forward end of the piston rod 420 extends
through a valve body 440 and into a mating hole 444 in the valve
pin 442.
In operation, compressed gas is delivered to alternating sides of
the pneumatic piston 422 on the piston rod 420 to operate the
marker. In a loading operation, compressed gas is delivered to a
front end 422A of the piston 422 and vented from a back end 422B of
the piston 422 causing the piston rod 420 to move to a rearward
position in the cylinder 410. The firing mass 430 and connected
bolt 310 are thereby moved to a rearward position in the paintball
gun 20, and a paintball is permitted to enter the breech 34 through
the feed tube 26.
When a firing sequence is initiated, compressed gas is directed to
a rearward end 422B of the piston 420 through the solenoid valve 50
and is vented from the front end 422A of the piston 422. The piston
rod 420 thereby moves forward in the cylinder, causing the firing
mass 430 and attached bolt linkage 412 and bolt 410 to move forward
in the paintball gun 20. As the piston rod 420 and attached bolt
412 reach their forward positions, the paintball is loaded into its
firing position and the piston rod 420 contacts a forward wall in
the firing valve pin 442, opening the firing valve 440 and causing
compressed gas to be released from the compressed gas storage
chamber 42 through the bolt 310 and into contact with the paintball
to expel it from the marker 20.
FIG. 2B illustrates an alternative embodiment of the
electro-pneumatic paintball gun 20 of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2B,
in this alternative embodiment, the firing valve pin 442B is
arranged with its stem extending into a receiving chamber 424 in
the piston rod 420. The receiving chamber 424 is preferably vented
on an opposite end to prevent resistance to piston rod movement 420
resulting from the build-up of gas. In this embodiment, as the
piston rod 420 is driven forward by the application of compressed
gas to a rear 422B of the piston 422, the piston rod 420 slides
forward along the stem of the valve pin 442B until a rear wall of
the receiving chamber 424 contacts the valve pin 442B. The momentum
imparted by the firing mass 430 causes the valve pin 442B to unseat
from the valve body 440, thereby releasing compressed gas from the
compressed gas storage area 42 into the forwardly situated bolt 310
and out of the paintball gun 10.
FIG. 3A provides a schematic perspective view of the bolt assembly
300. FIG. 3B provides a schematic perspective view of the bolt
sleeve 320. Referring now to FIGS. 2A, 3A and 3B, the bolt assembly
300 can preferably be readily removed from the paintball gun 20
using a simple twist and pull action. More specifically, the bolt
assembly 300 preferably includes a bolt sleeve 320 having an
actuator 322 (such as a handle, knob, tab, twist cap, finger holes,
gripping surface, or other actuating mechanism). The bolt sleeve
320 is configured to be disposed around a rearward portion of the
bolt 310 when the bolt 310 is in its rearward position. The bolt
sleeve 320 preferably comprises a bolt linkage groove 324 that
permits the bolt linkage 312 to slide freely forward and back
during operation of the paintball marker while the bolt assembly
300 is positioned in the marker 20. The bolt sleeve 320 also
preferably includes a bolt catch groove 326 that engages the bolt
linkage 312 to permit removal of the bolt assembly 300 from the
marker 20.
More specifically, the bolt sleeve 320 preferably comprises a
cylindrical housing 330 having a receiving chamber 332 that fits
around an external circumference of the bolt 310. A bolt linkage
groove 324 is preferably longitudinally arranged along the center
of the bottom of the bolt sleeve 320 and extends from a forward end
of the bolt sleeve 320 a predetermined distance toward the rearward
end of the bolt sleeve 320. The bolt linkage groove 324 is
preferably sized wide enough and long enough so as not to restrict
movement of the bolt linkage 312 during operation of the marker 20.
The bolt catch groove 326 preferably extends perpendicular to the
bolt linkage groove 324 from a rearward end of the bolt linkage
groove 324, such that twisting the bolt sleeve 320 (via the
actuator 322) will engage the bolt linkage 312 in the catch groove
326 when the linkage 312 is in its rearward position.
To remove the bolt assembly 300 from the marker 20, with the bolt
310 in its rearward position, the actuator 322 is twisted so that
the bolt linkage 312 is engaged in the bolt catch groove 326. The
actuator 322 is twisted further until the bolt linkage 312 contacts
the end of the bolt catch groove 326. The bolt linkage 312 is then
moved out of the groove 432 in the firing mass 430. The housing
channel 32 is preferably wide enough to permit the bolt linkage 312
to swing clear of the firing mass 430. The bolt assembly 300 can
then be removed through an opening in the rear of the gun body 22,
along with the back plate 340.
Guide grooves 328 are also preferably provided in the bolt sleeve
320 to align with and engage guide pins 28 arranged in the gun body
22. The guide grooves 328 and pins 28 provide a travel path for the
bolt sleeve 320 to ensure that the bolt removal sleeve 320 is
aligned properly during removal and reinsertion. A mating notch and
detent (or other locking mechanism) can also be provided within the
bolt sleeve 320 to retain the bolt linkage 312 in the bolt catch
groove 326 while the bolt assembly 300 is removed from the gun body
22. Upon reinsertion into the gun body 22, the twisting action of
the actuator 322 to realign the bolt linkage 312 within the firing
mass groove 430 releases the detent from the notch (or otherwise
unlocks the locking mechanism) and permits the bolt linkage 312 to
travel from the catch groove 326 back into the bolt linkage groove
324.
In an alternative embodiment, the actuator could be attached
directly to the bolt. The actuator in this embodiment would move
with the bolt and would be accessible through a rearward opening in
the paintball gun when the bolt is in its rearward position. As in
the previous embodiment, twisting the actuator would cause the bolt
linkage to disengage from the firing mass. The bolt assembly could
then be removed through the back of the marker. Guide channels
could be provided in the bolt, rather than the bolt sleeve, to
align with guide pins in the paintball gun body to ensure proper
alignment of the bolt in the bolt chamber of the paintball gun.
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the firing
assembly 400 of the embodiment of FIG. 2B. Referring now to FIGS.
2B and 4, a firing assembly 400 according to one embodiment of the
present invention includes a pneumatic cylinder 410 housing a
piston 422 arranged on a piston rod 420. The pneumatic cylinder 410
includes ports near both ends to direct or vent compressed gas to
or from opposite sides of the piston 422. An end of the piston rod
420 extending from a rearward end of the cylinder 410 carries the
firing mass 430. An opposite end of the piston rod 420 receives one
end of a firing valve pin 442B in an internal chamber 424. The
firing valve pin 442B extends through a firing valve body 440. A
valve head 446 on the opposite end of the firing valve pin 442B
resides within a compressed gas storage chamber 42 and is biased in
a sealed (closed) position (for example, by pneumatic or spring
force). The piston rod 420 preferably comprises a venting port 424
to vent the chamber 424 and prevent pneumatic resistance against
the firing valve pin 442B.
The firing assembly 400 is preferably operated by using a solenoid
valve 50 to direct compressed gas to one side of the pneumatic
piston 422 while venting the opposite side. When compressed gas is
supplied to a front end 422A and vented from a back end 422B of the
piston 422, the compressed gas storage chamber 42 is permitted to
charge with compressed gas. To fire the marker, compressed gas is
supplied to the rearward end 422B and vented from the forward end
422A of the pneumatic piston 422. The pneumatic piston rod 420 is
thereby driven forward until the rearward wall of the chamber
strikes the firing valve pin 442B. The momentum given to the piston
rod 422 by the firing mass 430 causes the valve head 446 to unseat
from the valve body 440, releasing the compressed gas from the
compressed gas storage chamber 42 through the valve body 440.
In a preferred configuration, the firing assembly 400 can be
removed as a unit together with all its components. Referring to
FIGS. 2B and 4, a retaining screw 44 or other attachment mechanism
(such as tab and detent mechanisms) retains the firing assembly 400
in proper position and orientation in the marker 10. To remove the
firing assembly 400, the retaining screw 44 is removed or the
attachment mechanism is otherwise released. The firing assembly 400
can then be removed through a rearward opening in the gun body
22.
Having described and illustrated the principles of the invention in
a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the
invention can be modified in arrangement and detail without
departing from such principles. We claim all modifications and
variations coming within the spirit and scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *
References